TORONTO — A nasty ice storm that left hundreds of thousands without power in Ontario and Quebec tracked through the Maritimes on Monday as authorities worked frantically to clear tree-strewn roadways, restore downed hydro lines and get stranded travellers to their destinations.

Some neighbourhoods resembled crime scenes with yellow police tape used to cordon off areas where electric wires or large trees had come crashing down over the weekend. Sidewalks around some high rise buildings were also closed off due to the risk of falling ice.

Environment Canada said the storm had hit Eastern Canada hard.

“It was a mighty blow,” senior climatologist David Phillips told The Canadian
Press. “It came at a really difficult time for people travelling and doing last minute shopping.”